Rafah: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that its office in Rafah, southern Gaza, sustained damage from an explosive shell, despite being clearly marked and known to all parties involved.
According to Jordan News Agency, the ICRC assured that no staff members were harmed in the incident. However, the organization warned that this attack could severely affect its capacity to perform humanitarian operations. The ICRC strongly condemned the strike on its office and emphasized the critical humanitarian toll resulting from the escalating hostilities in Gaza over the past week.
The statement from the ICRC underscored the dire consequences of the conflict, with hundreds of civilians killed and many still trapped under debris. Rescue operations are increasingly challenging, leaving numerous individuals to fend for themselves. Intensified fighting and new evacuation orders have forced many residents to flee without knowing where to find refuge. Families are leaving behind their belongings, while essential supplies like food and clean water are running low.
The ICRC also voiced its concern over the renewed violence, noting a loss of hope among those affected. On Sunday, contact was lost with a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance crew, whose status remains unknown. The past week has seen several humanitarian workers in Gaza killed or injured.
Stressing the importance of international humanitarian law, the ICRC reiterated that aid workers, medical personnel, and relief facilities are granted special protection and must be respected and protected at all times. It emphasized that any attacks against them are strictly prohibited to ensure the continuation of life-saving assistance.